Building Your Own Horse Shed

Building your own horse shed can be an easy and quick project that you can complete in one weekend. This is a fairly inexpensive alternative of leaving your horse out in the weather. It is best if you can get some help to complete this project, but it can be done alone. It will just take longer and be a little more frustrating.

Items Needed:

Wood

Nails/screws

Hammer/screwdriver

Posts

Quik-crete

Water

Sand

Wood sealant

Roofing

Post- hole digger

Shovel

Tape measure

Set down on paper exactly what you want your horse shed to look like when you are finished. Make it detailed. The more details now, the fewer trips to the hardware store later. It is worth mentioning that it is best if a slope is desired to keep moisture out that the slope should always be higher at the front and lower at the back so that rain and snow run to the back of the horse shed rather than in the front entry.

Dig post holes with post-hole digger. A post-hole digger gives you a stronger, deeper hole versus a shovel dug hole. The sides are stronger giving your post a better foundation in the ground.

Set in post. Make sure that the hole is deep enough to hold the post securely. One third deep as it is tall will give your post the underground support it needs to hold up the walls and roof of your horse shed.

Mix Quik-crete, sand and water per manufacturer directions. The easiest way is to put it all in a wheelbarrow. Mix it up and wheel it to where you need it.

With the post in the hole and add the concrete mix. Make sure to expel any air bubbles by stirring the mixture carefully with the shovel around the post. Avoid mixing dirt in with the concrete. Repeat for all posts. Allow the concrete to set up overnight for best results.

Measure the distance between the posts to ensure that your roof fits right. Be sure to allow for an overhang if your plans call for it. In most areas, the best side to put your entry to the south. Build the frame for your roof. The help of a friend will help mounting the frame onto the posts easier.

Mount the roof to the posts. Roofing can be laid at this time or it can wait until after all of the wood is up and in place, the choice is a matter of individual preference.